Apparatus for pickling a sheet metal strip

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for pickling sheet metal strip. A wound strip of sheet metal is first unwound and simultaneously and coaxially and spirally rewound to a larger, coaxial, diameter with spacing means between successive turns thereof to insure adequate spacings therebetween for the entry of treating liquids. The strip winding in the expanded form is then subjected to the desired treatment, normally pickling, washing and drying. The strip is then rewound from the inner end thereof solidly onto a suitable core. As the strip travels radially inwardly from the outer expanded roll toward the inner rigid roll it may, if desired, conveniently pass through suitable straightening and/or stress relieving rollers or other means. The apparatus aspect of the invention contemplates vertical core for the reception of the rigid roll and a coaxial ring or outer shell spaced radially outwardly from said core for receiving, guiding and limiting the outward diameter of the expanded roll. Where multiple stepwise stations are utilized, a roll in the expanded form may be lifted vertically from the outer shell for movement of such roll from one station to the next.

United States Patent [191 Morhard et al.

[451 Apr. 23, 1974 [22] Filed:

[ APPARATUS FOR PICKLING A SHEET METAL STRIP Jan. 18, 1972 21 Appl. No.:218,678

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Jan. 18, 1971 Germany 2102200[52] U.S. Cl 134/63, 134/80, 134/149, 242/78.1 [51] Int. Cl B08b 3/02[58] Field of Search 134/14, 63, 80, 149; 242/78.]

[5 6] 4 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 644,574 3/1900 Braddock134/14 2,221,811 11/1940 Nicklas... 134/14 2,366,352 l/l945 Paxson242/78.1 2,409,384 10/1946 Peterson 242/78.l X 2,702,166 2/1955 Bishopet al. 242/78.l X 3,490,468 l/1970 Di Donato 134/63 X 3,495,785 2/1970Coleman 242/78.1

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 698,526 ll/1964 Canada 242/78.1 718,10911/1954 Great Britain 134/14 Primary Examiner-Robert L. BleutgeAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Woodhams, Blanchard &

[57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for pickling sheet metal strip. A wound strip ofsheet metal is first unwound and simultaneously and coaxially andspirally rewound to a larger, coaxial, diameter with spacing meansbetween successive turns thereof to insure adequate spacingstherebetween for the entry of treating liquids. The strip winding in theexpanded form is then subjected to the desired treatment, normallypickling, washing and drying. The strip is then rewound from the innerend thereof solidly onto a suitable core. As the strip travels radiallyinwardly from the outer expanded roll toward the inner rigid roll itmay, if desired, conveniently pass through suitable straighteninganld/or stress relieving rollers or other means.

The apparatus aspect of the invention contemplates vertical core for thereception of the rigid roll and a coaxial ring or outer shell spacedradially outwardly from said core for receiving, guiding and limitingthe outward diameter of the expanded roll. Where multiple stepwisestations are utilized, a roll in the expanded form may beliftedvertically from the outer shell for movement of such roll from onestation to the next.

12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENIED APR 23 1974 SHEET 1 0F 6PATENTEDAPR23 W I 3.605814 SHEET u 0F 6 I QQ I in 1 N APPARATUS FORPICKLING A SHEET METAL STRIP The invention relates to a method forpickling a sheet metal strip which is first unwound on a vertical axisfrom a rigid driven strip roll, is spaced apart from said strip roll bymeans supporting the lower edge thereof and is simultaneously rewound,also on a vertical axis, to form a spiral-springlike expanded strip rollwith a spacer element which is introduced between its turns. It issubsequently treated through pickling, rinsing and drying in theexpanded roll shape and is finally with the spacer elements removedrewound to form a rigid strip roll again at a radial distance from theexpanded strip roll. During the rewinding both strip surfaces areautomatically guided in the zone between the rolls and the driving poweracts upon the rigid strip roll. The invention relates furthermore to anapparatus for performing this method.

According to a known method of the abovementioned type, the sheet metalstrip, in the pretreatment station during the unwinding from the fixedstrip roll, is wound onto a second reeling core so that an expandedstrip roll is created thereon. During the rewinding the second reelingcore is driven whereby the sheet metal strip is subjected to aconsiderable tensile stress which is particularly high for the reasonthat the automatic S-shaped strip guiding is accomplished during therewinding by guide rollers which are arranged between the two stripcoils. As a consequence of this technique, the rewinding of the sheetmetal strip in the preparation station requires a considerable amount offloor space the width of which corresponds at least to the diameter ofthe expanded roll and the length of which corresponds at least the sumof diameters of both rolls plus their mutual radial distance providedfor the positioning of the guide rollers. Moreover the high striptension during the rewinding causes a very tight winding of the expandedstrip roll so that its windings are held with a great pressure againstthe interposed spacer elements. If the latter is formed by aconventional wire or rope element which is enlarged at regularintervals, the wire or rope enlargements of the spacer element can underthe effect of high winding pressure cause in the expanded striprollconsiderable damage to the strip surfaces, for example scraping ornicking deformations. After the rewinding, the expandedstrip roll mustin the known method be removed from the second reeling core and placedon vertical axes on a support platform and must by means of tlie latterbe inserted into a pickling vat of a treatment station for pickling,rinsing and drying. After the treatment, the expanded strip roll mustagain be wound up on a reeling core and must with same be supported onhorizontal axes in a rollingup station.'ln such a station, the sheetmetal strip is pulled off from the expanded strip-roll and upon removalof the spacer element is rewound on a second reeling core on horizontalaxes to form a rigid strip roll. Also the rewinding of the sheetmetalstrip in the rewinding station requires at least the same space as therewinding in the preparation station so that the entire space requiredfor performing the known method is uneconomically high. Since thisfurther requires a change of the axial position of the expanded striproll during its transportfrom the treatment to the rewinding station, acomplicated roll conveyor is needed which is not only expensive withrespect to manufacturing and service expenses but also is limited to lowmagnitudes of support capacity. The known method is therefore, in spiteof the uneconomically high requirements of space, apparatus and workoutput, useable: only for pickling of relatively light sheet metalstrips which have a small width and thickness.

Accordingly, the pickling of wide and thick sheet metal strips ofgreater weight could up to now only be accomplished according to theknown looping or towing method. According to this method, the sheetmetal strips are each in the preparation stations wound off from areeling core which is rotatably supported in said preparation stationand are guided in a flat strip form by means of a guide roller systemthrough a pickling path. Such pickling path, extends through thetreatment station past pickling, rinsing and drying apparatus which arearranged in said treatment station and in the rewinding station at theend of the pickling path the strip is again rewound onto a secondreeling core. Each reeling core has suitable driving and/or brakingmechanisms associated therewith.

As a result of this technique, the pickling paths are (because of theelongated and extended position of the sheet metal strip in thetreatment station) often several hundred meters long and requiretherefore not only a correspondingly great amount of space but furtherinvolve very high manufacturing costs. Since the throughput speed of thesheet metal strip, because of the pickling, rinsing and drying processeswhich occur in the treatment station, is limited to a relatively lowmagnitude, the looping or towing method is also relatively uneconomical.

The basic purpose of the invention is to improve the method describedabove in such a manner that it can be used also for wide or thick sheetmetal strips of considerable weight and can be performed, compared withthe methods used up to now, much more economically, with substantiallyless space requirement and by relatively simple apparatus. It is afurther purpose that the manufacturing costs of the apparatus are for agiven output considerably less than in the known apparatus of thedescribed type. This is accomplished by driving the sheet metal stripbefore the treatment through an unwinding procedure by guide meanseffective on both surfaces thereof and directed both annularly andradially outwardly from the rigid strip roll to an approximately coaxialoutside support to form same into an expanded strip roll with.convolutions extending from the outside to the inside and then, aftertreatment, the strip is rewound from within the expanded strip roll toan approximately coaxial rewind core. Duringboth windings the strip iswound and unwound on vertical axes by supporting the lower strip edge. Abraking action may, if needed, be provided in the zone between the tworolls.

As a result of this new method the sheet metal strip in the preparationstation is no longer, as has been done up to now, rewound with aconsiderable use of space from the rigid strip roll to a second reelingcore but instead is rewound by itself coaxially to the rigid strip rollto form the expanded strip roll so that an extremely economicalspacesaving construction of the preparation station is possible. Thesame is also true for the strip rewind station into which the expandedstrip roll can be introduced, without requiring an axial displacement,also on vertical axes as in the treatment station.

' This permits a structurally simple roll conveyor with a strips ofconsiderable weight can be treated in an economically short period oftime independent from the length and thickness of the strip by pickling,rinsing and drying. Particularly in comparison with the known looping ortowing methods, the inventive method assures a substantially moreeconomical pickling by means of a structurally simple apparatus, themanufacturing costs of which are, due to the requirement for less spaceas compared with other known pickling apparatus, considerably less for agiven output. Beyond this, however, the inventive method assures stillfurther advantages. Since the sheet metal strip is driven during therewinding between the two strip rolls, the strip tension andconsequently the winding pressure in the expanded strip roll can'bemaintained so low that no damage can be done in said expanded strip rollby the spacer element which is arranged between the strip windings. Thisassures a minimizing of waste.

In this connection it is also advantageous if the sheet metal stripduring the rolling up is guided in an S- pattern in the zone between thetwo rolls and is thus both braked and also freed from internal stresses.Since during rewinding the spacer element is removed ahead of thewinding of the sheet metal strip onto the reeling core, the stripsurfaces cannot be damaged in spite of the high strip tension due to theS-shaped sheet metal strip guide, whereby at the same time a relievingof the internal stresses within the strip material is brought about.

It is also advantageous if the sheet metal strip is rewound in windingoff direction to form the rewound roll in the preparation station. Inthis manner, the sheet metal strip between the rigid strip roll and theexpanded strip roll can be driven by means of a structurally simple andtherefore space-saving apparatus which requires only a small radialspace between the rigid strip roll and the inner winding of the expandedstrip roll. This makes possible for the expanded strip roll a relativelysmall outside diameter which substantially alone determines the floorspace needed in the preparation station.

The known method which was described above requires for performing samean apparatus with driving and/or braking mechanisms for the sheet metalstrip or for a reeling core of the rigid strip roll, which driving orbraking mechanisms are associated with both the rewinding station andalso the preparation station; with a guide roller system whichautomatically guides the sheet metal strip and a pickling vat for theexpanded strip roll, which pickling vat is arranged in the treatmentstation; and with a roll conveyor which can be moved at least throughthe stations. In order to render such apparatus suitable for performingthe inventive method, a support ring is associated with the expandedstrip roll, which support ring supports or limits said strip roll onvertical axes both on the outside and also on the lower strip edge, andis constructed with an inside diameter which permits the arranging of atleast two elements of the guide roller system between the rigid striproll and the expanded strip roll which extends approximately coaxiallyaround said rigid strip roll. Further, in the preparation station and inthe rewinding station bearing devices are provided, which support therespective reeling core and support ring relatively to one another,vertically and coaxially, both rotatably and also displaceably axiallyat least for the sheet metal strip width, and the roll conveyor isconstructed as a step conveying mechanism which supports on verticalaxes the support ring with the expanded strip roll.

Such a support ring can be manufactured economically with the requiredrigidity and must be supported through structurally simple bearingdevices in the preparation and also the rewinding station including therespective reeling core rotatably and axially displaceably relative tosaid reeling core. The expanded strip roll remains during its stepwiseconveying from the strip windup through the treatment into the rewindingstation always in the associated support ring so that in an economicalmanner no additional releasing and clamping of the roll are required.

It is also advantageous if the support ring is supported on a rotatingplatform which platform is adjustable in height and the stations arearranged on a theoretical circle around the rotating platform shaft inthe step movement path of the support ring. Such a rotating platform canalso be inexpensively constructed and forms a carrousel which isassociated with the step conveying mechanism and through which thesupport ring can be moved stepwise from station to station and can becentered in the stations.

An optimum use of the apparatus can be achieved if three identicalsupport rings are supported at angular spacings with respect to oneanother on the vertically adjustable rotating platform of the stepconveying mechanism, and the stations are also angularly spaced l20around the rotating platform shaft. In this manner, all stations duringeach time period of the operation simultaneously are provided with asupport ring which during a stepwise forward movement of the rotatingplatform or the carrousel is brought into an appropriate station, sothat the inventive method can be performed simultaneously on three sheetmetal strips.

In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus, each support ring isconstructed bowl-shaped with, for example, at least one opening in thebowl bottom and provided with support surfaces which form said bowlbottom. The bowl-shaped construction of the support ring assures a safesupport by the bowl bottom of the lower edge of the expanded strip roll,the opening of the bowl shape permitting the discharge of pickling andrinsing fluid and the passage of drying media into the treatmentstation.

In this connection it is particularly advantageous if the pickling vatin the treatment station is constructed substantially with the supportring diameter cylindrically as a collecting basin for pickling andrinsing fluids and the support rings can each be placed sealingly on theupper facing surface of the collecting basin through the verticallyadjustable rotating platform, and that a conventional hood is bothequipped with individual elements of a pickling, rinsing and dryingmechanism and also constructed with the support ring diameter, issupported in the treatment station coaxially to a respective supportring and is sealingly lowerable onto said sup port ring. In thisembodiment of the apparatus the support ring forms during the pickling,rinsing and drying of the expanded strip roll an important part of thetreatment station so that the manufacturing costs thereof areeconomically low. Furthermore such a treatment station is veryeconomical of space and can be sealed effectively at low cost, forexample through ring seals which are arranged on the support ring and/oron the pickling vat and on the cover, so that the operator is protectedagainst danger to his health, particularly if hydrochloric acid is usedas pickling means.

The invention will be discussed more closely hereinafter includingfurther details in connection with the enclosed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematically illustrated top view of an apparatus of theabove-described type;

FIG. 2 is a schematically illustrated cross-sectional view along theline II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematically illustrated cross-sectional view along theline III-III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged diagrammatically illustrated partial view of theapparatus according to FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematically illustrated top view of a portion ofthe apparatus according to FIGS. 1 to 3, and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematically illustrated top view of another partof the apparatus according to FIGS. 1 to 3.

An apparatus according to the drawings serves to pickle a sheet metalstrip 1 which is supplied in form of a rigid strip-roll la. Theapparatus has a preparation station 2, a treatment station 3 and a striprewind station 4. Reeling cores 5 and 6 each is rotatably supported inthe stations 2,4 and can be driven and/or braked by conventionaldevices, not illustrated. In the exemplary embodiment, the reeling cores5,6 are each arranged on vertical axes. The stations 2,3,4 are eachconstructed of substantially circular shape and are, with reference totheir center points, arranged 120 apart around an imaginary circle. Arotating platform 7 is supported by means of a vertical platform shaft7a in the centerpoint of the imaginary circle and can be rotatedstepwise in the direction of the arrow 8 each time approximately 120 byconventional drive means, not illustrated. Rings 9, l and 11 are eachsupported on vertical axes on the rotating platform 7 in the zones ofthe stations 2,3,4 and can be lifted off said platform as will bedescribed more in detail hereinafter. The rings 9,10,11 are of identicalconstruction and are with reference to their axes spaced l2 0 apart fromone another on the lifting platform 7. Further, that their axes canvertically overlap the axes of each of the stations 2,3,4.

Each of the rings 9,10,11 is used, as will be discussed later, toproduce in the preparation station 2 the sheet metal strip 1 which isunwound from the rigid strip roll 1a into an expanded strip roll lb andto limit the out side thereof, the roll layers of which strip roll 1bextend spirally with a spacing therebetween. The aforementioned verticaloverlapping of the rings 9,10,11 with the stations 2,3,4 causes therings which are in the preparation station 2 and the strip wind-upstation 4 to assume a substantially coaxial po-' sition with the reelingcore or 6 associated with the respective station when the reeling coreis in an operat ing position as illustrated in full lines in FIGS. 1 and2. Each of the rings 91,10,11 is constructed with such an insidediameter that roll 1b which is expanded in the preparation station 2from a length of the sheet metal strip 1, which length is at a maximumprovided for the apparatus, has in each roll stage on the outside ofthe.

As is further shown in FIG. 1 in connection with FIGS. 2 and 3, each ofthe rings 9,10,11 is rotatably supported in a recess of the rotatingplatform 7, which recess encloses at least partially the outer ringjacket and is liftably supported against said rotating platform by anouter ring flange 9a, 10a or 11a. Each of the rings 9,10,11 isconstructed bowl-shaped with a bowl bottom which has at least oneopening and against which the expanded strip roll 1b can be supported inthe vertically axial position on the lower strip edge. The rings 9,10,11 are thus capable of not only externally limiting the associatedexpanded strip roll lb but also of carrying 9b which extend toward thering center and which form the bowl bottom and define openings betweenone another. The rings 10,11 have the same support arms 10b or 11b.

The rotating platform 7 can be vertically adjusted by means of anelevating mechanism 16 which, in the exemplary embodiment, is associatedwith the rotating shaft 7a and is constructed in form of a pneumatic orhydraulic cylinder-piston unit. Through a lowering movement of therotating platform 7 which is done by means of the elevating mechanism 16each of the rings 8,9,10 can be supported within the stations 2,4 onpivot bearings 2a or 40 which are arranged stationarily approximatelycoaxially to the respective associated reeling core 5 or 6 in thestations until the lifting off from the rotating platform 7 with thesupport arms 9b or 10b or 11b. The support arms 9b or 10b-or 11b whichare associated with the rings 9,10,11 are arranged in such a manner thattheir uppersupport. surfaces extend in the support position against oneof the pivot bearings 2a or 4a substantially in the plane of a rotatingplatform 2b or 4b which is arranged in the respective station 2 or 4coaxially to its pivot bearing 2a or' 4a, against which rotatingplatform the associated reeling core 5 or 6 can be supported on thefront side from above. The support arms 9b,l0b,1lb of the rings 9,10,11extend in the stations 2 and 4 close to the rotating platforms 2b or 4bwhich are associated with these stations and which are constructed withan outer diameter which corresponds at least to the maximum diameter ofthe rigid strip roll 1a. The pivot bearings 2a,4a consist in theexemplary embodiment each of a turntable which can be rotated freelywith respect to the adjacent rotating platform 2b or 4b. Thus each pivotbearing 2a or 4a forms together with the adjacent rotating platform 2bor 4b a bearing device against which in the stations 2 and 4, therespective reeling core Skor 6 and the respective outer ring 9, 10 or 11are concentrically and rotatably supportable relative to one another.

In order to makepossiblethe movement of the outer rings 9,10,] 1 intothe stations 2 and. 4, each of the reeling cores 5 or 6 is supportedwith its upper end on a bearing support 16 or 17 which in the associatedstation overlaps the outer ring provided in said station radially fromthe outside at least to the ring center. The

bearing support 16 or 17 can be adjusted in height by an amount whichexceeds the maximum width of the be adjusted in a conventional mannerwith respect to its outer diameter and can therefore be connected bothmovably and fixedly with respect to rotation to the rigid strip roll 1a.By this construction, the standards 20,21 form with the respectivelyassociated bearing support 16 or 17 further bearing devices throughwhich each reeling core or 6, if necessary, including the rigid striproll 1a and the outer ring 9 or which is provided in the associatedstation 3 or 4 can be offset relatively to one another approximatelycoaxially for at least a distance which exceeds the maximum width of thesheet metal strip 1. If desired, the bearing supports 16,17 can bearranged also horizontally swingably on the associated standard 20 or21.

The guide roller elements 12,13,14 or of the guide roller system for thesheet metal strip 1 are arranged adjustably in the station 2,4lengthwise of their bearing supports 16,17 by means of associated movingmechanisms 23,24 (see FIG. 2).

The treatment station 3 has according to FIG. 3 a collecting basin 3awhich is constructed cylindrically substantially at the diameter of theouter rings 9,10,11 and with which each of the outer rings 9,10,11 canbe brought coaxially into vertical overlapping relationship. Thecollecting basin 3a has a funnel-shaped bottom 3aa and is connected atits lowermost area to a discharge pipe 24. The collecting basin 3aserves to catch and discharge pickling and rinsing fluids. Each of theouter rings 9,10,11 can be placed sealingly with its lower ring surfacein the treatment station 3 by means of the elevating mechanism 7a of therotating platform 7 on an upper surface of the collecting basin 3a,whereby for the purpose of an effective seal (not illustrated) seals canbe arranged on the lower annular surface of the respective outer ring 9or 10 or 11 and/or on the upper surface of the collecting basin.Furthermore a hood 3b is arranged in the treatment station 3, which hoodcan be adjusted in height with respect to the collecting basin 3asubstantially coaxially lengthwise on an associated standard 25 by meansof a fourth elevating mechanism 26. The hood 3b can be lowered sealinglywith a lower surface onto the upper surface of the outer ring 9 or 10 or11 which is in the station 3. Here too it is possible to provide on theouter rings and- /or on the lower facing 'surface, of the hood 3bacid-resisting seals to bring about an effective seal. Pickling, rinsingand drying devices are associated with the treatment station 3. FIG. 3illustrates only individual elements of these devices, for example feedpipes 27,28,29 for drying air, rinse and pickling fluids and a spraymechanism 30 which can be supplied with the latter, which elements arearranged on the hood 3b.

From the above description it will be understood that the rotatingplatform 7 with the elevating mechanism 16 associated with its rotatingshaft 7a and its drive means (not illustrated) forms'a step conveyormechanism through which each of the outer rings 9,10,11 can be moved asa turntable together with the strip roll 1b which is expanded thereinrepeatedly during subsequent forward steps from the preparation station2 through the treatment station 3 to the strip rewind station 4. Eachone of the outer rings 9,10,11 can both in the preparation station -2and also in the strip rewind station 4 be driven in the support positionwhich is lifted off from the lifting platform 7 on the respective pivotbearing 20 or 4a by not illustrated driving means with controllable orconstant rotational speed about the ring, pivot bearing or reeling coreshaft and/or can be braked by not illustrated braking devices. Further,

each one of the outer rings 9,10, 11 is'associated at 1 shaped spacerelement 32 or 33 which has at regular intervals screw thread orpearl-shaped enlargements 32a or 33a. The reels 31a,3lb can be stoppedand also opposingly driven by an associated rotating field magnet 310 or31d. The spacer elements 32,33, for example plastic or titanium wires orropes with wire rings or wire coils which form the enlargements 32a or33a, are guided from the reels 31,31b through the guide tubes 31e,31finto the preparation station 2 or the strip rewind station 4 over thestrip roll lb which is expanded therein inwardly onto spaced-apart zonesof the roll width and are each with the free end secured on a hook 34 or35 which can be placed on a transverse edge 1 of the sheet metal strip1, which edge extends into the preparation station 2. Although in FIG. 1three of the reeling mechanisms 31 are arranged near one of the outerrings 9,10,11 on the rotating platform 7, one of the reeling mechanisms31 can'be omitted by arranging two of the latter outside of the area ofrotation of the rotating platform 7 stationarily near the preparationstation 2 and the strip rewind station 4.

FIG. 5 illustrates in an enlarged preferred embodiment the movingmechanism 22 of the guide roller system 12,13,14 for the sheet metalstrip 1 in the preparation station 2. The moving mechanism 22 has a 22awhich can be moved lengthwise of the bearing support 16 by drive means,for example cylinder-piston units of the pneumatic or hydraulic typeillustrated in dashdotted lines. At least one of the elements 12,13 ofthe guide roller system, preferably, however, the elements 12,13 whichare associated with the outside of the sheet metal strip 1 are supportedadjustably approximately parallel to the bearing support 16 on thecarriage 22a. At least one of the elements 12 of the guide rollersystem'can be driven and is provided, if necessary, with afriction-increasing roll jacket coating, for example a rubber coating.To make the introduction of the sheet metal strip 1 between the elements12 of the guide roller system easier, two sheet-metal guides 22b arearranged on the carriage 22a. The leading end of the sheet metal strip 1can be secured on theinside of the ring 9 by means of a connecting strip9c.

According to FIG. 6, the movingmechanisr'n 23 has in the strip rewindstation 4 also a carriage 23a which is movable lengthwise of theassociated bearing support 17. At least one element 12 of the guideroller system, preferably the guide roller 12 which is associated withthe outside of the sheet metal strip 1, is arranged on said carriage 23aengageable against said outside of the strip, for example swingable inthe directions of the double arrow a,b.

The above-described apparatus operates as follows:

The sheet metal strip 1 is delivered in the form of a rigid strip roll1a and is clamped onto the reeling core 5 which is lifted up and, ifnecessary, swung away relative to the preparation station 2. It is thenlowered by means of said reeling core onto the rotating platform 2b inthe preparation station 2 coaxially to the outer and support ring 9which is supported in said preparation station against the pivot bearing2a according to FIG. 2.

By driving the reeling core in the direction of arrow 36, the sheetmetal strip 1 is then introduced into the guide roller system 12,13,14with its leading end 1, whereby the guide rollers 12,13 which areassociated with the outer sheet metal strip side are adjusted slightlyoutwardly compared with the position illustrated in FIG. 5 relative tothe carriage 22a. After the sheet metal strip 1 has passed through theguide rollers 12, the outside guide roller 12 is adjusted toward thereeling core 5 by not illustrated pressure means until the sheet metalstrip 1 is clamped between the guide rollers 12 and is driven togetherwith the inside guide roller 12 in the direction of arrow 36. Theoutside guide roller 13 is urged against the outside of the sheet metalstrip in response to the thickness of the sheet metal strip 1.Subsequently, the drive of the reeling core 5 can be turned off and thereeling core can in idle motion be moved by the strip tension. As soonas the leading end 1 of the sheet metal strip 1 contacts the inside ofthe ring 9, it is secured on the ring by means of the connecting strip90. The ring 9 is driven or brakedin a slightly delayed manner withrespect to the advancing of the strip which is caused by the drivenguide rollers 12 so that a rigidly spaced roll 1b is created and theguide rollers 14 assure an automatic sheet metal strip guide. The spacerwires or ropes 32,33 are secured with the free ends on the leading sheetmetal strip edge 1 by means of the hooks 34,35 and are interposedbetween the roll layers during the strip rotation in order to supportthe roll layers spaced from one another.

After the expanded strip roll 1b is finished in the preparation station2, the reeling core 5 of the strip roll is lifted sufficiently high bymeans of the elevating mechanism 18 that also the ring 9 with theexpanded strip roll 1b can be lifted off from the pivot bearing 2a overthe rotating platform 6 by means of the elevating mechanism 16 of therotating platform 7 and can through a rotary step motion of the rotatingplatform 7 in direction of the arrow 8 be brought into verticaloverlapping relationship with the treatment station 3 by a relativesidewise displacement relative to the preparation station 2. In thisposition the ring 9 is placed onto the collecting basin by a loweringmotion of the rotatin g platform 7 and is covered by the hood 3b. Thepickling, rinsing and drying of the strip roll 1b which is expandedin'the ring 9 takes then place in the treatment station 3, whereby atthe same time a second rigid strip roll 1a is introduced into thepreparation station 2 and can be rewound into a second expanded roll 1bin a ring with a vertical roll shaft, which ring is provided in thepreparation station 2.

After the expanded roll lb which is provided in the treatment station 3is pickled, rinsed and dried it is moved after the removal of the hood3b together with its ring to the strip rewind station 4 by a lifting andsubsequent rotary motion of the rotating platform 7 andis there loweredonto the pivot bearing 4a. Simultaneous with the sidewise displacementof the ring with the expanded striproll 1b from the treatment station 3to the rewind station 4, the second expanded strip roll lb which isprovided in the preparation station 2 is moved to the treatment station3 so that a third rigid strip roll 1a can be rewound in an associatedring to a third expanded strip roll 1b in the preparation station 2.

The expanded strip roll lb which is now in the station 4 is then, withthe inner sheet metal strip and guided over the associated guide rollerelements 15 between the guide rollers 12, wound from inside onto thereeling core 6 so that at an inner radial distance from the expandedstrip roll 1b, a further fixed strip roll 1a is created. By swinging inthe outside guide roller 12 in the arrow direction b, not only the striptension is increased but a S-shaped strip guide is obtained throughwhich tensions which could have accumulated in the sheet metal strip 1are relieved. The reeling core 6 is driven during the winding-up processby associated driving means in direction of the arrow 37 with a constantor regulatable rotational speed. It is here possible, as has alreadybeen mentioned earlier, to drive in the strip rewind station 4 also therespective ring with regulatable or constant speed or to brake the ring.The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment with respectto the apparatus. It would for example be possible to constructadjustably with respect to height, in place of the rotating platform 7,the pivot bearings 20,411 arranged in the stations 2,4 and also thecollecting basin 3a which is arranged in the station 3 by associatedelevating mechanisms. It would also be conceivable to provide, in placeof a rotating platform 7, some other step conveying mechanism by meansof which the rings 9,10,11 are movable from station to station. Finallyit would also be possible to provide the apparatus, aside from thetreatment station 3, with only one further station which is constructedboth for unrolling and producing the expanded strip roll 1b and also forrewinding the latter in form of the rigid strip roll 1a. Such a stationwould then fulfill both the function of the pretreatment and also thefunction of the strip rewind station which would make the apparatus,although of less capacity,

still less expensive to buy and maintain and would require considerablyless room to install.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. Apparatus for pickling a sheet metal strip having a preparation, atreatment and a rewinding station with driving and/or braking mechanismsfor a sheet metal strip reeling means, which driving or brakingmechanisms are associated with both the: rewinding station and also thepreparation station, a guide roller system which automatically guidesthe sheet metal strip and a pickling vat for a strip roll which isexpanded by means of the spacer elements, which pickling vat is arrangedin the treatment station, and a roll conveyor which can be moved atleast through the stations, the improvement comprising a support ring(9, or 10 or 11) associated with the expanded strip roll (1b), whichsupport ring supports and limits said strip roll on vertical axes bothcircumferentially and also on the lower edge thereof, and is constructedwith an inside diameter which permits the arranging of at least twoelements (12,13) of the guide roller system (12, 13 14 or 15) betweenthe rigid strip roll (1a) and the expanded strip roll which extendsapproximately coaxially around said rigid strip roll (la) and bearingmeans provided in the preparation station (2) and in the rewindingstation which support the respective reeling core (5 or 6) and supportring relatively to one another vertically coaxially both rotatably andalso axially displaceably at least for a distance of the sheet metalstrip width, and the roll conveyor is constructed as a step conveyingmechanism (7, 7a, 16) which supports on vertical axes the support ringwith the expanded strip roll.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support ring (9 or 10 or11) is supported on a rotating platform (7) of the step conveyingmechanism, which platform can be vertically adjusted, and the stations(2, 3, 4) are arranged on a theoretical circle around the rotatingplatform shaft (7a) in the step movement path of the support ring.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, the improvement comprising the threesupport rings (9, 10, 11) are identical and are angularly spaced 120apart on the vertically adjustable rotating platform (7) of the stepconveying mechanism, and the stations (2, 3, 4) are also arranged atangular spacings of 120 around the rotating platform axis.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, the improvement comprising thesupport rings (9, 10, 11) are each supported rotatably in a recess ofthe rotating platform (7), which recess at least partially surrounds theouter ring jacket, and are supported liftably with an outer flange (9)against said rotating platform.

5. Apparatus at least according to claim 1, the improvement comprisingthe support rings (9, 10, 1 l) are introduced into both in thepreparation station (2) and also in the rewinding station (4) bylowering the rotating platform (7) until said rings are lifted off fromsaid platform and are supported on a pivot bearing (2a or 4a) of thebearing devices, which pivot bearing is coaxial with the respectivereeling core (5 or 6).

6. Apparatus at least according to claim 1, the improvement comprisingeach reeling core (5 or 6) is supported in the associated station (2 or4) on vertical axes by the upper side on one of the bearing supports (16or 17) of the bearing devices, which bearing supports extend over therespective support ring (9 or 10 or 11), and each said core issupportable with its lower side on a rotating platform (212 or 4b) ofthe bearing devices, which rotating platform is coaxial to the pivotbearing (2a or 4a) of the support ring, and the bearing supports arearranged adjustable in height, and if necessary also horizontallyswingably, and are equipped with the elements (l2, 13, 14 or of theguide roller system.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, the improvement comprising thesupport rings (9, l0, 11) are each constructed bowl-shaped with forexample at least one opening in the bowl bottom, are equipped withsupport surfaces (9b or 10b or 11b) which form said bowl bottom and thesupport surfaces are arranged in the supporting position of the supportring against the associated pivot bearing (2a or 4a) substantially inthe plane of the rotating platform (2b or 4b) and are guided close tosaid rotating platform.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6, the improvement comprising theelements (12, 13, 14 or 15) of the guide roller system are arrangedmovably in the support direction in the preparation station (2) and therewind station (4) on the associated bearing support (16 or 17) and areadjustable by means of moving mechanisms (22, 23).

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, the improvement comprising at leastone of the elements (12 or 13) of the guide roller system is supportedadjustably approximately parallel to the bearing support on a carriage(22a or 23a) of the moving mechanisms (22 or 23), which carriage ismovable lengthwise of the bearing support (16 or 17) and can be urgedagainst the outside of the sheet metal strip (1).

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, the improvement comprising at leastone (12) of the elements of the guide roller system can be driven and,if necessary, is provided with a friction-increasing jacket coating, forexample of rubber.

11. Apparatus at least according to according to claim 1, theimprovement comprising the pickling vat (3a) in the treatment station(3) is constructed substantially with the support ring diametercylindrically as a collecting vat for pickling and rinsing fluids andthe support rings (9, 10, 11) can each be placed sealingly on the upperfacing surface of the collecting basin through the vertically adjustablerotating platform 7) and that a conventional hood (3b) is both equippedwith individual elements (27, 28, 29, 30) of a pickling, rinsing anddrying mechanism and also constructed with the support ring diameter andis supported in the treatment station coaxially to the respectivesupport ring and is sealingly lowerable onto said support ring.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1, the improvement comprising thespacer element consists of a conventional rope or wire element (32 or33) which is enlarged at regular intervals, for example plastic ortitanium rope or wire, and the enlargements are formed by wire pieceswhich are pressed screw-thread-shaped or ring-shaped around the rope orwire jacket.

1. Apparatus for pickling a sheet metal strip having a preparation, atreatment and a rewinding station with driving and/or braking mechanismsfor a sheet metal strip reeling means, which driving or brakingmechanisms are associated with both the rewinding station and also thepreparation station, a guide roller system which automatically guidesthe sheet metal strip and a pickling vat for a strip roll which isexpanded by means of the spacer elements, which pickling vat is arrangedin the treatment station, and a roll conveyor which can be moved atleast through the stations, the improvement comprising a support ring(9, or 10 or 11) associated with the expanded strip roll (1b), whichsupport ring supports and limits said strip roll on vertical axes bothcircumferentially and also on the lower edge thereof, and is constructedwith an inside diameter which permits the arranging of at least twoelements (12,13) of the guide roller system (12, 13 14 or 15) betweenthe rigid strip roll (1a) and the expanded strip roll which extendsapproximately coaxially around said rigid strip roll (1a) and bearingmeans provided in the preparation station (2) and in the rewindingstation which support the respective reeling core (5 or 6) and supportring relatively to one another vertically coaxially both rotatably andalso axially displaceably at least for a distance of the sheet metalstrip width, and the roll conveyor is constructed as a step conveyingmechanism (7, 7a, 16) which supports on vertical axes the support ringwith the expanded strip roll.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe support ring (9 or 10 or 11) is supported on a rotating platform (7)of the step conveying mechanism, which platform can be verticallyadjusted, and the stations (2, 3, 4) are arranged on a theoreticalcircle around the rotating platform shaft (7a) in the step movement pathof the support ring.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, the improvementcomprising the three support rings (9, 10, 11) are identical and areangularly spaced 120* apart on the vertically adjustable rotatingplatform (7) of the step conveying mechanism, and the stations (2, 3, 4)are also arranged at angular spacings of 120* around the rotatingplatform axis.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, the improvementcomprising the support rings (9, 10, 11) are each supported rotatably ina recess of the rotating platform (7), which recess at least partiallysurrounds the outer ring jacket, and are supported liftably with anouter flange (9) against said rotating platform.
 5. Apparatus at leastaccording to claim 1, the improvement comprising the support rings (9,10, 11) are introduced into both in the preparation station (2) and alsoin the rewinding station (4) by lowering the rotating platform (7) untilsaid rings are lifted off from said platform and are supported on apivot bearing (2a or 4a) of the bearing devices, which pivot bearing iscoaxial with the respective reeling core (5 or 6).
 6. Apparatus at leastaccording to claim 1, the improvement comprising each reeling core (5 or6) is supported in the associated station (2 or 4) on vertical axes bythe upper side on one of the bearing supports (16 or 17) of the bearingdevices, which bearing supports extend over the respective support ring(9 or 10 or 11), and each said core is supportable with its lower sideon a rotating platform (2b or 4b) of the bearing devices, which rotatingplatform is coaxial to the pivot bearing (2a or 4a) of the support ring,and the bearing supports are arranged adjustable in height, and ifnecessary also horizontally swingably, and are equipped with theelements (12, 13, 14 or 15) of the guide roller system.
 7. Apparatusaccording to claim 6, the improvement comprising the support rings (9,10, 11) are each constructed bowl-shaped with for example at least oneopening in the bowl bottom, are equipped with support surfaces (9b or10b or 11b) which form said bowl bottom and the support surfaces arearranged in the supporting position of the support ring against theassociated pivot bearing (2a or 4a) substantially in the plane of therotating platform (2b or 4b) and are guided close to said rotatingplatform.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 6, the improvement comprisingthe elements (12, 13, 14 or 15) of the guide roller system are arrangedmovably in the support direction in the preparation station (2) and therewind station (4) on the associated bearing support (16 or 17) and areadjustable by means of moving mechanisms (22, 23).
 9. Apparatusaccording to claim 8, the improvement comprising at least one of theelements (12 or 13) of the guide roller system is supported adjustablyapproximately parallel to the bearing support on a carriage (22a or 23a)of the moving mechanisms (22 or 23), which carriage is movablelengthwise of the bearing support (16 or 17) and can be urged againstthe outside of the sheet metal strip (1).
 10. Apparatus according toclaim 9, the improvement comprising at least one (12) of the elements ofthe guide roller system can be driven and, if necessary, is providedwith a friction-increasing jacket coating, for example of rubber. 11.Apparatus at least according to according to claim 1, the improvementcomprising the pickling vat (3a) in the treatment station (3) isconstructed substantially with the support ring diameter cylindricallyas a collecting vat for pickling and rinsing fluids and the supportrings (9, 10, 11) can each be placed sealingly on the upper facingsurface of the collecting basin through the vertically adjustablerotating platform (7) and that a conventional hood (3b) is both equippedwith individual elements (27, 28, 29, 30) of a pickling, rinsing anddrying mechanism and also constructed with the support ring diameter andis supported in the treatment station coaxially to the respectivesupport ring and is sealingly lowerable onto said support ring. 12.Apparatus according to claim 1, the improvement comprising the spacerelement consists of a conventional rope or wire element (32 or 33) whichis enlarged at regular intervals, for example plastic or titanium ropeor wire, and the enlargements are formed by wire pieces which arepressed screw-thread-shaped or ring-shaped around the rope or wirejacket.